When PlayStation announced earlier this month that it would be doing away with physical discs beginning in 2028, the gaming community’s response was swift and damning. (Well, not everyone thought it was the end of the world.) Based on rumors building for the last few months, it’s looking like PlayStation’s main competitor could take a much different approach to the future of digital media.
Xbox has reportedly been testing a new program (codenamed “Positron”) that would allow users to digitize their Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, linking them to an Xbox account by creating a digital license. This could allow players to then access their games through Xbox Cloud Gaming, if supported, while still allowing the game to be playable from its original disc. The digital licensing process would also still allow for gamers to buy and sell discs or lend them to friends, according to insiders familiar with the matter, The Verge reports. A disc inserted into another Xbox console would then be linked with that console’s associated Xbox account and removed from its previous owner’s. XBOX Insiders on console, as you have seen we paused flighting this week as we prep for week next. Thanks for being patient! The wait is worth the wait, I promise. — Brad Rossetti (@WorkWombatman) July 10, 2026 While early reports expected Positron to launch later this year, Xbox Insider lead Brad Rosetti noted late last week that flighting, the process of releasing new builds, is paused on consoles for Xbox Insiders as the company “preps for next week.” This could be a hint that Xbox Insiders may have the chance to test Positron sooner rather than later.
